All lanes of eastbound Interstate 70 have reopened after been closed as a result of a five vehicle crash at U.S. 29 in Howard County in which a truck hauling landscape equipment ran up onto a guardrail and into a pole, leaving a sign in structurally unsafe condition.
State Highway Administration spokesman Dave Buck said three passenger cars and two trucks were involved in a crash about 7:15 a.m. that backed up traffic on I-70 for 7 miles. Buck said that after the crash was cleared and traffic emptied out, highway officials closed all three lanes of the eastbound highway at U.S. 40 near Turf Valley to let state engineers remove the sign.
Traffic was expected to be diverted onto U.S. 40 for about two hours. According to the Maryland State Police, one person was injured in the crash and was transported to Howard County General Hospital.
UPDATE: The massive sign, 60 feet across, directing drivers to the lanes for either getting off on 29 or staying on I-70, has been removed and the highway is expected to reopen soon. A contractor will rehang the sign after its support structure has been repaired.
Photo/State Highway Administration